Reel-Time: Flatwing Primer

Reel-Time Fly Pattern Library

A Flatwing Primer

If you want to learn more about Flatwings, check out Ken Abrames pioneering works, Striper Moon and A Perfect Fish. Both are beautiful books with detailed instructions on Flatwings, and other patterns developed by Ken. Ken’s website is http://www.stripermoon.com

Materials List

Hook: Eagle Claw 254F (1/0 used in this example. Most other hooks are too heavy)

Flatwings are very effective patterns when fish become "educated." They can be tied to imitate any baitfish you desire. We will start with a single-feather flatwing. These are good to imitate small baitfish such as spearing, sand eels and bay anchovies. We will tie my version of a bay anchovy. This fly was very effective at Montauk this year at the end of the season when the fishing got tough. This fly did not have to stripped with two hands to catch fish. In fact most fish were caught when the fly was paused between slow strips. The albies LOVED it.

Tying Sequence

Step One

Tie in a small bunch of white bucktail as a platform at the rear of the hook.

Step Two

Dub a small pillow of red at the rear. This is to "seat" the feather in.

Step Three

Tie in 2 strands of pearl flashabou.

Step Four

Tie in one off-white, skinny saddle hackle the length you want the fly to be. Make sure it's flat on the shank. Take 2 loose turns of thread and "pull" forward slightly to seat the feather in the pillow of dubbing.